Ukraine eases procurement rules for testing innovative weapons in combat

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has allowed the Ukrainian Defense Ministry to procure innovative weapons for testing in real combat conditions.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced the decision on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.

"On Armorer's Day, we adopted decisions long awaited by the market. We are creating opportunities for rapid procurement of innovations for the military. The government resolution allows the Ministry of Defense to purchase innovative samples for testing in real combat conditions," she said.

According to Svyrydenko, the move will shorten the time from development to deployment at the front, helping to avoid situations where innovations become outdated due to lengthy bureaucratic procedures before centralized procurement begins. The decision also introduces a systematic collection of feedback from service members on the effectiveness of such equipment.

In addition, the government approved a policy on intellectual property management in the defense industry. It establishes clear rules for both the state and manufacturers regarding the protection and use of developments. The policy aims to safeguard rights to defense technologies created by state-owned enterprises or acquired through defense procurement, and to ensure their use in the production of military goods.

Svyrydenko noted that more than 50% of weapons currently used at the front are domestically produced, including unmanned systems, artillery, and communications equipment. Ukrainian arms manufacturers, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Forces, are developing unique technologies, involving over 900 public and private companies and more than 300,000 employees. The newly adopted measures are expected to further boost the development of the domestic defense industry.

As reported earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Ukrainian defense companies that build production facilities abroad for export without state approval.